GE Hitachi deal with Va. utility could bring dozens of jobs

Published: Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 6:03 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 6:03 p.m.

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy has signed a significant multi-year agreement with a Virginia utility that could immediately result in dozens of new jobs at its Castle Hayne facilities, a company spokesman said Thursday.

It also will guide Dominion through the process of applying to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a combined operating license, or COL, for the reactor.

This is not a commitment to build a reactor, White said. Dominion would decide whether to build a reactor after it received a COL.

GEH's ESBWR, or Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor, has yet to receive final clearance from the NRC.

In 2011, GEH received the safety evaluation report and design approval from the NRC, White said. The final licensing step is the design certification, White said, adding “we expect that to happen in the coming months.

“One of the reasons Dominion chose GEH was because we could meet their time line for the COL.”

White said the companies will not release financial terms of the agreement.

“However, we expect to immediately begin hiring dozens of engineers, project managers and other technical experts to assist in the project,” White said. “If the project progresses, as we expect it to, it could mean many, many more jobs in the coming years.”

“We are thrilled to work with Dominion Virginia Power to potentially bring the world's most technologically advanced reactor to North Anna,” GEH President and CEO Caroline Reda said in a statement.

“Their long commitment to a diverse energy portfolio, close proximity to our global headquarters and advanced technology centers and familiarization with our technology make them a perfect partner.”

<p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic50"><b>GE Hitachi</b></a> Nuclear Energy has signed a significant multi-year agreement with a Virginia utility that could immediately result in dozens of new jobs at its Castle Hayne facilities, a company spokesman said Thursday.</p><p>GEH will engineer its new ESBWR nuclear reactor design specifically for Dominion Virginia Power's North Anna site, spokesman Christopher White said.</p><p>It also will guide Dominion through the process of applying to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a combined operating license, or COL, for the reactor.</p><p>This is not a commitment to build a reactor, White said. Dominion would decide whether to build a reactor after it received a COL.</p><p>GEH's ESBWR, or Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor, has yet to receive final clearance from the NRC. </p><p>In 2011, GEH received the safety evaluation report and design approval from the NRC, White said. The final licensing step is the design certification, White said, adding “we expect that to happen in the coming months.</p><p>“One of the reasons Dominion chose GEH was because we could meet their time line for the COL.”</p><p>White said the companies will not release financial terms of the agreement.</p><p>“However, we expect to immediately begin hiring dozens of engineers, project managers and other technical experts to assist in the project,” White said. “If the project progresses, as we expect it to, it could mean many, many more jobs in the coming years.”</p><p>“We are thrilled to work with Dominion Virginia Power to potentially bring the world's most technologically advanced reactor to North Anna,” GEH President and CEO Caroline Reda said in a statement.</p><p>“Their long commitment to a diverse energy portfolio, close proximity to our global headquarters and advanced technology centers and familiarization with our technology make them a perfect partner.”</p><p><i></p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic99"><b>Wayne Faulkner</b></a>: 343-2329</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @bizniznews</i></p>